Compressor with SVT-2PRO ???

[masaki_v]

Hello all. This is gonna be a dumb question, but how should I hook up my compressor with this amp? Inbetween the bass and line-in or through the effects loop? And where should I put my rack mount tuner?

Sorry for the stupid questions...

[sapienerabass]

Is it a pedal compressor or a rack unit?

You can always "try" both see which sounds best...I don't see any harm in either however some effects loops need line-level (rack) effects. From memory I think the SVT2 Pro loop will be happy with either.

The SVT2 Pro is a tube amp and there's lots here that don't use compressors with tube amps...I do though. I've used a Tech 21 Bass Compactor for years.

[masaki_v]

Thanks for the reply! I've got a pedal, but am planning on using a rack mount soon.

So basically, if it's a pedal, use it in series right after my bass. And if it's rack mounted, I should use the effects loop?

My Flea 5 has such a hot signal that I seem to clip the 2PRO a lot, and I want to get rid of that. The compressor should take care of it, no?

Thanks so much for your help!

[anderbass]

I use a VT-pedal into the front-end of my SVT's to compress for lower volume-level usage.

But at higher volume levels, I feel external compressor's are not needed because the natural compression of SVT powertube sections works better than most any compressor could simulate.

If your just using a compressor to compensate for the high output of your "flea-5", you could just use the amps padded input or simply lower your 2pro's input-level knob to compensate for most any high output bass.

[masaki_v]

Thanks anderbass. I've tried the padded input, but I'm still clipping the amp. I'll try lowering the input knob, though I don't recall that helping much...it's been a while since I've used this amp, so we'll see.

Thanks again!!

[anderbass]

Yer welcome. Your amps gain knob could be adjust all the way down to 0. You may just dig using using a compressor and that's cool, but your amps gain knob could aways be turned down enough to compensate for the extra high output of any bass.

I used to think I was clipping the front end of my amps with my active fender deluxe bass, but It actually ended up being the preamp in my bass itself that was clipping...

[BroKenSticKs]

Are you concerned because the red light is lighting up when you play? I also have a 2pro and there is no reason to worry about that. Mine lights up on every hard note i play. If it doesn't sound right to you then thats another issue, but there is no reason to be concerned about the light. Just ignore and go by how it sounds.

[flyingfinbar]

Originally Posted by BroKenSticKs

Are you concerned because the red light is lighting up when you play? I also have a 2pro and there is no reason to worry about that. Mine lights up on every hard note i play. If it doesn't sound right to you then thats another issue, but there is no reason to be concerned about the light. Just ignore and go by how it sounds.

I was gonna say...I don't think that's an issue with the 2pro like it is with many solid state amplifiers.

[bongomania]

Originally Posted by masaki_v

So basically, if it's a pedal, use it in series right after my bass. And if it's rack mounted, I should use the effects loop?

Generally yes, though there are exceptions. Plus, you'll want to experiment to find out where the clipping is occurring. For example, if the input stage is what's clipping, then a comp in the fx loop wouldn't help at all, regardless of pedal or rack.

[masaki_v]

Originally Posted by BroKenSticKs

Are you concerned because the red light is lighting up when you play? I also have a 2pro and there is no reason to worry about that. Mine lights up on every hard note i play. If it doesn't sound right to you then thats another issue, but there is no reason to be concerned about the light. Just ignore and go by how it sounds.

Originally Posted by flyingfinbar

I was gonna say...I don't think that's an issue with the 2pro like it is with many solid state amplifiers.

Interesting. So with my 2PRO, as with any tube amp, I don't need to worry about the red light and "clipping" unless it sounds bad? That's what I think I'm hearing from you two.

Thanks so much for the help. It's helping put me at ease...

[anderbass]

Originally Posted by masaki_v

Interesting. So with my 2PRO, as with any tube amp, I don't need to worry about the red light and "clipping" unless it sounds bad? That's what I think I'm hearing from you two.

Thanks so much for the help. It's helping put me at ease...

Yes !!!

Listen with your ears, not your eyes.

Those red clip lights on most all Ampeg models are calibrated so you will turn the gain up high enough to make it illuminate on the louder notes.

Unlike other brands of amps where you adjust the gain knob as high as possible, but just so the clip light doesn't illuminate too often.

Read the info in your manual here:--> http://www.ampeg.com/pdf/SVT-2PRO.PDF
Note that in the PEAK/MUTE LED info, It says "approaches" clipping...

[flyingfinbar]

Plus, when you do overdrive the preamp, it'll roar, as opposed to the nasty, speaker cracking transients that you get with SS front end

[NKBassman]

I actually covered that pesky red light with electrical tape on my amp. Learn to ignore it and use your ears. Set your gain wherever it sounds the best.